Top 3 Software Engineering Programs in Georgia 2025
Georgia Institute of Technology
Elite engineering school in Atlanta's tech hub with direct pipelines to Microsoft, Google, and NCR. 95% job placement rate within 6 months
Georgia Southern University
Strong ABET-accredited program with hands-on curriculum and growing industry partnerships. Excellent value at under $7,500 tuition
Kennesaw State University
Rapidly growing program serving Atlanta metro with emphasis on practical software development and agile methodologies
- 1.Georgia has 15+ accredited software engineering and related programs across public universities and private institutions
- 2.Georgia Institute of Technology ranks as the state's top program with 93% graduation rate and $85,000 median starting salaries
- 3.Georgia software developers earn median $98,340 annually, slightly below national average but with significantly lower cost of living
- 4.Atlanta metro area employs 45,000+ software developers with major employers including NCR, Manhattan Associates, and Coca-Cola
- 5.In-state tuition at public universities ranges from $7,348 to $12,682, making Georgia an excellent value for software engineering education
Software Engineering Education in Georgia
Georgia offers a compelling combination of high-quality software engineering education and affordable tuition through its University System of Georgia. Led by the prestigious Georgia Institute of Technology, the state provides pathways from community colleges to research universities, all within driving distance of Atlanta's growing tech sector.
The state's software engineering programs emphasize practical skills, with many offering cooperative education programs and internships with major employers like NCR, Home Depot, and Delta Air Lines. For national context, see our best software engineering bachelor's programs ranking. Students considering cost should review our most affordable software engineering programs guide.
Georgia's tech ecosystem extends beyond Atlanta to include growing hubs in Augusta, Columbus, and Savannah. The state offers competitive salaries relative to cost of living, making it an attractive destination for software engineering graduates. Our software engineer salary guide provides detailed compensation data for Georgia markets.
Based on 15 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS Georgia May 2024
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 data
Class size and faculty accessibility
Georgia-specific salary data from BLS OEWS
ABET accreditation and curriculum strength
Georgia Software Engineering Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta | Public | $12,682 | 93% | 19:1 | 97.8 |
| 2 | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro | Public | $7,348 | 71% | 21:1 | 88.2 |
| 3 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw | Public | $7,432 | 68% | 22:1 | 86.5 |
| 4 | University of Georgia | Athens | Public | $12,080 | 87% | 17:1 | 85.9 |
| 5 | Georgia State University | Atlanta | Public | $11,258 | 56% | 28:1 | 82.1 |
| 6 | Mercer University | Macon | Private | $39,550 | 73% | 13:1 | 81.7 |
| 7 | Augusta University | Augusta | Public | $9,526 | 58% | 16:1 | 79.8 |
| 8 | Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville | Public | $9,296 | 70% | 17:1 | 78.5 |
| 9 | Valdosta State University | Valdosta | Public | $7,286 | 47% | 20:1 | 76.2 |
| 10 | Columbus State University | Columbus | Public | $7,302 | 42% | 18:1 | 74.8 |
| 11 | University of North Georgia | Dahlonega | Public | $7,412 | 58% | 18:1 | 73.9 |
| 12 | Clayton State University | Morrow | Public | $7,078 | 35% | 17:1 | 72.1 |
| 13 | Fort Valley State University | Fort Valley | Public | $7,598 | 41% | 17:1 | 70.8 |
| 14 | Albany State University | Albany | Public | $6,794 | 32% | 19:1 | 68.5 |
| 15 | Savannah State University | Savannah | Public | $7,332 | 29% | 18:1 | 67.2 |
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • University
Program Highlights
- • 93% six-year graduation rate
- • 19:1 student-faculty ratio
- • $12,682 in-state tuition
- • Access to world-class research facilities
Program Strengths
- ABET-accredited software engineering with specializations in cybersecurity, AI, and systems
- 95% job placement rate with median starting salaries of $85,000
- Direct recruiting partnerships with Google, Microsoft, IBM, and local firms like NCR
- Cooperative education program with 6-month industry placements
- Strong alumni network throughout Silicon Valley and Atlanta tech ecosystem
Why Ranked #1
Georgia Tech consistently ranks among the top 5 computer science and engineering programs nationally, with exceptional industry partnerships and research opportunities in the heart of Atlanta's tech corridor.
Student Reviews
"The co-op program at Georgia Tech opened doors I never imagined. I worked at Microsoft for two semesters and had a full-time offer before graduation."
— Software Engineering '24
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA • University
Program Highlights
- • 71% six-year graduation rate
- • 21:1 student-faculty ratio
- • $7,348 in-state tuition
- • Modern software development labs
Program Strengths
- ABET-accredited software engineering degree with modern curriculum
- Project-based learning with real-world client partnerships
- Growing industry connections with Savannah and Atlanta employers
- Small class sizes enabling personalized faculty mentorship
- Internship partnerships with regional technology companies
Why Ranked #2
Georgia Southern offers an ABET-accredited software engineering program with strong industry connections and hands-on learning opportunities at an exceptional value under $7,500 tuition.
Student Reviews
"The professors really know you by name here. The hands-on projects prepared me well for my internship at a Savannah tech company."
— Software Engineering '23
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA • University
Program Highlights
- • 68% six-year graduation rate
- • 22:1 student-faculty ratio
- • $7,432 in-state tuition
- • Located 30 minutes from downtown Atlanta
Program Strengths
- Curriculum emphasizing agile development and modern software practices
- Strong connections to Atlanta metro technology employers
- Internship programs with local software companies and startups
- Focus on collaborative software development and team projects
- Growing alumni network in Atlanta tech sector
Why Ranked #3
KSU's rapidly growing software engineering program serves the Atlanta metropolitan area with a practical curriculum focused on industry-relevant skills and agile development methodologies.
Student Reviews
"Being so close to Atlanta meant tons of internship opportunities. The agile focus in our coursework matched exactly what companies were looking for."
— Software Engineering '24
University System of Georgia Software Engineering Programs
The University System of Georgia provides an affordable pathway to software engineering education across its 26 institutions. The system includes comprehensive research universities, regional universities, and state colleges, all offering competitive in-state tuition rates for Georgia residents.
Georgia Institute of Technology stands as the flagship engineering institution, consistently ranked among the top programs nationally. Regional universities like Georgia Southern, Kennesaw State, and Augusta University provide quality education with strong local industry connections. The Georgia software engineering curriculum guide details what to expect across these programs.
Many Georgia institutions offer cooperative education and internship programs, particularly valuable given the state's growing technology sector. Atlanta serves as the primary tech hub, but opportunities exist statewide in Augusta (cyber security), Savannah (logistics technology), and Columbus (financial technology).
For students considering online options, several Georgia institutions offer hybrid and fully online software engineering degrees. Our best online software engineering degrees guide includes Georgia programs with strong distance learning reputations.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Design and develop applications for Georgia's diverse economy including fintech, logistics, and healthcare technology sectors.
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1299Manage cloud infrastructure and deployment pipelines for Atlanta's growing number of SaaS companies and enterprises.
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Protect systems and data for Georgia's banking, healthcare, and government sectors, with particular opportunities in Augusta's cyber corridor.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Analyze data for retail giants like Home Depot, logistics companies, and Atlanta's thriving fintech sector.
Software Engineering Programs by State
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Massachusetts
North Carolina
Virginia
Colorado
Arizona
| Factor | In-State Public | Out-of-State Public | Private Universities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Tuition | $8,500 | $24,000 | $35,000 |
| Class Size | Medium (20-30) | Medium (20-30) | Small (15-25) |
| Research Opportunities | High | High | Medium |
| Industry Connections | Strong | Strong | Variable |
| Financial Aid | Good | Limited | Excellent |
| Geographic Diversity | Low | High | High |
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to a top-10 engineering program (Georgia Tech) at public school prices
- Strong connections to Atlanta's growing tech ecosystem
- Affordable in-state tuition across multiple quality programs
- Cooperative education opportunities with major employers
- Lower cost of living compared to Silicon Valley or Northeast
- Growing job market in fintech, cybersecurity, and logistics technology
- Access to Silicon Valley's tech concentration
- Higher average starting salaries (California, Washington)
- Larger variety of specialized tech programs
- More venture capital and startup ecosystem access
- International tech company headquarters
Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Software Engineering Programs
Related Software Engineering Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Graduation rates, enrollment, and institutional data
Georgia-specific salary and employment data
State employment projections and workforce data
Official tuition and program information
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.